Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday made a scathing attack on the Central government alleging that the Rajya Sabha polls were deliberately deferred in March as the Centre's poaching attempts were incomplete by then, and now when the dates were rescheduled, "four of our MLAs from Gujarat have already resigned".
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the CM said, "The Rajya Sabha elections could have been held two months back. However, the Centre's poaching attempts were not complete by then, so, the Rajya Sabha polling was deferred. Now, with the dates of these elections being announced, four of our Gujarat Congress MLAs have already resigned. Even during Corona times, Modi and Shah are busy playing politics," he alleged.
"This is the time to save lives. Sonia Gandhi has already told the PM that we stand united to fight COVID-19. However, BJP continues conspiring to break up the governments even during the corona period. Not a single vote in Rajasthan will go into their kitty and both our candidates will win," Gehlot said.
"Today, we need to see who is causing pain and who is applying balm on pain. The corona crisis started appearing in February. Rahul Gandhi had warned the government on February 12, however, during those days, the MP government was toppled. Karnataka, too, faced the same fate. The government invested all its resources in toppling governments. We can see the results looking at the present situation of the country," he said.
"Modiji says he would make a 'Congress mukt Bharat', but India will never get Congress 'mukt'. Congress lives in the DNA of India", said Gehlot.
He questioned how the nation would be able to fight COVID-19 if all political parties, all castes and creed don't stand united. "Why does this thought never cross PM Modi or Amit Shah's mind?"
All Congress MLAs stand united to defeat the fascist forces, he said, adding 13 independents and 2 BTP MLAs have promised to support the Congress in Rajasthan.
The conference was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Sachin pilot and AICC member Randeep Surjewala. Rajya Sabha contestant K.C. Venugopal, Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey were also present.
The Congress in Rajasthan has shifted its MLAs to a resort fearing poaching. It has alleged the BJP is luring its MLAs and has offered Rs 25 crore to them to resign and topple the Gehlot government.
( With inputs from IANS )